AgWired

What a great day and great enthusiasm by the people at Novus International and the Missouri Colleges Fund scholar students during Novus’ 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days! The Novus staff exuded enthusiasm in their presentations to the students, and the students reciprocated in their enthusiasm for what they learned.

Anna Arthur, a sophomore majoring in biological chemistry and minoring in psychology at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., was typical of that engaged attitude (you can’t believe how much she wanted to win a t-shirt during the impromptu trivia contests during the tour!). She really seemed to cling to about every word the Novus staff had to say … not bad considering she wasn’t even sure she was going to be able to make it.

“I’m so glad I did because I’ve gotten such a great impression from the people and from even just the facilities themselves.”

In fact, she’s hoping to do an internship with Novus this summer. And Arthur feels that with the wide variety of jobs available, there will be plenty of opportunities.

“It really opened my eyes to the fact that even if your major is in just one area of science that can still be brought into marketing aspects or sales aspects or all different areas which I never really thought about before.” She adds that it’s good to know Novus gives employees chances to advance and move through the company and is the kind of place where she might like to work one day after graduation.

Arthur was also impressed how the Novus labs were a practical application of what she’s learning in the classroom.

“It was fun today to hear them talk about the different tests they’re doing ion the labs and to say ‘I just did some of those tests myself a couple of weeks ago in my [school] lab. It’s really cool to be able to apply what you’ve done in the actual work place.”

More of my conversation with Anna is available in the player below.

2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album

One of the important lessons the students learned during the 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days at Novus International’s suburban St. Louis headquarters and rural Missouri research farm was that Novus is more than just an animal agriculture company. It’s a sustainability company.

Experts say the world’s population will be 9 billion by 2050 … but maybe only half the land used for agriculture now will be available to feed that population in 40 years. The point wasn’t lost on Avila University in Kansas City senior Neemah Ngega. The biochemistry major says she was impressed with how Novus is working to get more food out of shrinking resources for the world’s growing population.

“That’s a crucial point that I don’t think a lot of young people understand … including myself. The more I got engaged today, the more I learned how important of a problem we’re going to be facing as a world, not just a nation. For the science [Novus] engages in to help produce more food, I think, is commendable.”

Born and raised in Tanzania, Africa and moving to this country when she was young has given Ngega a unique perspective.

“I think I’ve learned a lot, and there’s so much I could utilize in my future studies and future work… getting other people engaged and teaching other people what I’ve learned today.”

She says Novus’ work to better the world through minimizing the amount of space needed to grow an increased amount of food truly makes Novus a sustainability company.

“The more we become better on sustaining not just the food industry, but all around – water, economic, land and people – it’s going to help.”

Listen to more of my conversation with Neemah in the player below.

2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most optimistic people I’ve ever seen: Dr. Nasser Odetallah, Product Manager of Enzymes, Probiotics, and Idea Testing Kits for Novus International. His message last year to the Missouri Colleges Fund scholars was, “There is nothing impossible in life.” This year during Novus’ 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days, he added to that message, saying “Charge ahead, and don’t be afraid to fail!”

Odetallah’s talk came in between impromptu trivia contests (for t-shirts and candy!), as the bus full of students rolled down the road from the tour of Novus’ research farm, Green Acres.

“We have to try something to know if we fit into it. And if we fail that’s not the end of the world. The most important thing is do not hesitate and don’t be scared!”

He says the Novus attitude is that failure teaches them more and helps the company reach its goals of providing better animal and human nutritional products. In fact, Odetallah says probably 10 percent or more of the employees at Novus started in a different section of the company and were moved, sometimes several times, to make a better fit for the worker and Novus.

He advises the students to come up with ideas outside of the norm.

[While it’s important to meet certain standards], if you want success in life, you have to think outside of the box, outside of your outline.”

Odetallah adds that you have to keep in mind how the world is getting smaller through all the connections people make, and look for ways to enhance those connections through learning new languages and cultures.

“The more you plant, the more you reap.”

Great words of wisdom.

It’s a great conversation, and you can hear more of it in the player below.

2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album